31 August 2011

Children's Museum.

When Sydney finished the summer reading program, she got a free entrance into the Children's Museum.  So, we went after she finished school for the day and had a blast.

Picture17661

Dressing up is a must.

Picture17650

And so is makeup.

Picture17648

Ta-da!

Picture17646

Doing a puppet show.

Picture17640

I love this picture.

Picture17633

The traveling display was tons of fun.  Sydney and I had a great time racing golf balls through various tracks and seeing if they would make it to the finish.

First Day of Pre-K

Sydney started Pre-Kindergarten this year.

Picture17668

I can't believe that my kid is in school.

Picture17665

26 August 2011

East/West Game--2011

We went to Talia's first high school football game as an actual high school student.  Bellevue has two high schools and it is tradition that they play each other for the first game of the season. Because the game usually happens at the end of Arrows to Aerospace and about the same time as the air show on base, they had some guys parachute with the school flags as well as the American flag.

Picture17717

Bellevue West flag

Picture17713

American flag parachutist with the comp trail from the plane they jumped out of.

Picture17709

Picture17706

Picture17674

The real reason to go to a Bellevue West Football Game.

23 August 2011

Cousin Visit

Charles has a sister who currently lives in St. Joseph, Missouri.  She and her family came up to visit and go to the temple.  Sydney had a blast with her cousin, Kaytie.

Picture17745

Picture17744

Picture17741

Dancing...or playing...it was sometimes hard to tell with them.

Picture17739

Picture17736

Chamberlin cousins are very dramatic.

Picture17734

Hiding from a scary part in Tangled, I think.

20 August 2011

Durham Western Heritage Museum

After the parade we went out to the Durham Western Heritage Museum.  It is an old, gorgeous train station that has been converted into a museum.  It is fun to go and see the trains and the displays about the history of Omaha.

Picture17753

Part of the museum showcases traveling displays.  This time it was one on George Washington Carver and had artifacts and then some science experiments for kids to try out.  Sadly, I got in trouble for taking these two pictures, since, apparently the experiments are too delicate to take pictures of or something.  Totally embarrassing.



Picture17752Picture17755

Talia and Sydney on a trolly car that ran in Omaha...did you know Omaha had a trolly?

Picture17751


Inside a tee-pee.

Picture17747

Checking out a rocking chair.  I probably would have taken more pictures, but Talia lost an earring that she had just bought and we spent quite a bit of time looking for it.  I, again, got in trouble for trying to open a door on one of the trains that had been open when we went through, but was closed when I went to look.  Once again, embarrassing.  Oh well, I'm over it.

Arrows to Aerospace Parade.

Bellevue has a yearly parade called Arrows to Aerospace.  It celebrates the history and future of Bellevue and it is a big to-do out here.  For the last twelve years, at least one Duran kid has marched in the parade, with the exception of the last two when there was none of us in the marching band.  We went out to watch Talia march in her first parade.  It was so much fun and Sydney came home with her body weight in candy...mostly tootsie rolls...mmm..


Picture17813



 Waiting for the parade to begin.


Picture17816

Warming up.

Picture17797


Picture17777

Talia

Picture17793

They bought this banner when I was in high school...

Picture17775

14 August 2011

Nauvoo, Illinois--Day 3

We took a trip to Carthage on Sunday.  If you go to Nauvoo, you HAVE to go to Carthage.  While it is a sad place to visit, it is always so worth it.

Picture17201

Picture17184

Picture17177

My little ham, while we were waiting for Papa.

Picture17176

Picture17167

Back in Nauvoo, we stopped on the Community of Christ side and visited the Red Brick Store and the Smith Family Cemetary.

Picture17164

Picture17160

Picture17158

Learning how they make bricks.

Picture17155

After taking some naps at our hotel, we came back to the temple to walk around and take some pictures.

Picture17119

Picture17109

Picture17091

I love this shot...but it would be better without the girl sitting there.

Picture17071

Picture17066

13 August 2011

Nauvoo, Illinois--Day 2

This is day two(or the first whole day, take your pick) in Nauvoo.

Picture17374

We went on a carriage ride out to Inspiration Point and back.  It is an interesting ride because the missionaries tell inspiring stories of some of the people who actually lived in Nauvoo.  And, like almost everything here, it's free!

Picture17367

Well.

Picture17359

One of the horses who pulled our carriage.

Picture17357

With the horses that pulled the carriage.

Picture17354

Oxen ride.

Picture17353

Picture17352

Scovil Bakery, where you get to sample a gingerbread cookie.

Picture17349

Carding wool at the Family Living Center.

Picture17347

Learning about making candles.

Picture17345

Making rope.

Picture17339

I love these flowers.

Picture17337

Parade with the Brass Band.

Picture17333

Playing house.

Picture17331

One of the things that amazes me about Sydney is her ability to make friends instantly.  Here she is with a bunch of little girls who watched Just Plain Anna Amanda with us.

Picture17326

Just Plain Anna Amanda is a show that the Young Performing Missionaries put on while they are in Nauvoo for the summer.  This was their last show before they all went home.  A perfect show for kids...and to sit and enjoy the air conditioning.

Picture17323

Picture17317

Trying on one of the missionaries' hats.

Picture17315

Learning about the printing press.

Picture17298

At our favorite spot on the Mississippi...at the end of Parley Street.

Picture17282

Picture17276

Picture17262

It was really windy, if you can't tell.

Picture17257

Picture17255

Picture17254

She wanted to put her feet in the water...

Picture17252

...but was a little afraid...

Picture17248

...of how cold it would be...

Picture17244

Success!

Picture17229

Picture17224

Picture17220

Picture17218

Picture17208